THOMAS] NUMBERS IN THE MEXICAN CODICES 945 
of the lowest division, the movement is to the left up to the middle 
division, then to the right up to the upper division, and then to the 
left. The 12 large red counters of plate 59 denote the interval between 
the days of the two columns, commencing 
with Cipactli in the lower right-hand cor- 
ner, and passing to the lower day in the left 
column, to the second (next to the lower) in 
the right column, to the second in the left, 
and so on throughout. The 12 red counters 
(plates 63 to 65) denote the intervals between 
the corresponding days in the lower line of 
the pages in the order in which they follow one 
another; that is, from right to left, beginning 
with plate 65. But in this instance the count 4, 

28—Symbol for 400. 
includes the beginning or ending day. Mendoza codex, plate 20, 
a Oe : ; : figure 16. 
This will suffice to illustrate the use of the jeunes 
counters in the Mexican codices in connection with days, so far as it 
has been ascertained. 
















NR mo The higher numbers are rep- 
SN y N i resented in the Mexican codices 
AN Z SUZ bya different class of symbols 
BQe Z BZ from those which have been 

SX 

rd 
noticed, but for the explanation 
KK 








YI li Wy of these we have to rely wholly 
YAY LX : ae = 
SZ ZieN Z upon the interpretations made 
NAN Z = by early Spanish authorities 
WA — and based upon the statements 
Fic. 29—Symbol for 4,000. Mendoza codex, plate 
28, figure 24. 
of native priests. The first to 
which reference will be made 
are found in the Mendoza codex, in Kingsborough, vol. 1, the original 
Spanish explanations being given in volume 5 of the same 
work. As the different symbols for these higher numbers 
are not numerous, it will only be necessary to present a 
sufficient number of examples to illustrate the forms of the 
symbols and their use. 
Mendoza codex—Plate 20, figure 16, shown in our figure 
28, is interpreted 400 loads of great mantles, the number 
symbol being the fringed spike or leaf on top. Fig. 30—Sym- 
Plate 28, figure 24, shown in our figure 29, is inter- a none 
preted 4,000. This is correct, counting each spike as 400, Mendoza co- 
Plate 38, figure 21 (our figure 30), is interpreted 20 jars aoa a 
of honey. 
Plate 39, figure 20 (our figure 31), is interpreted 100 (that is, 5 20) 
hatchets of copper. 


19 ETH, PT 2 25 
